Annealing tray



Feb. 9, 1932. 1 H. A. DELANG 'ANNEALING TRAY Filed Jan. 16, 1931 :2 3 jig/l 1 ATTORNEY Patented Feb. 9, 1932 PATENT OFFICE HOWARD A. DELANO,

0F YORK, PENNSYLVANIA, ASSIGNOR T0 AMERICAN @HAIN COK- IE'ANY, INC-Q A C RPORATION OF NEW YORK ANN'EALING TRAY Application filed January 16, 1931. Serial No. 509,091.

7 The invention relates to trays that are to be used under conditions such that localized deterioration is liable to take place, that is, deterioration of parts or restricted areas, leaving the remaining parts -or areas of the tray unimpaired. As an instance, trays that are to be placed, loaded with articles for treatment, in a highly heated atmosphere, such, for example, as that of an annealing furnace, may be mentioned. The object is to overcome certain of the objections which now exist with respect to utensils of that kind. One of these objections is the integral nature of their construction, which renders it impossible, or at least not feasible, to replace parts which, to the exclusion of other parts, have suffered localized damage from oxidation,'acid or alkali reactions or, for that matter, from any cause. A. further objection is a comparative rigidity of structure that causes to be created in them high stresses when they, are resting, heavily loaded, on uneven surfaces. When these stresses affect weakened points, the obvious result is early breakage, rendering. the entire structure useless, even though it is impaired only locally.

A description of the preferred form or' tray follows:

Referring to the drawings,

Fig. 1 is a perspective view-of an assembled tray; I

Fig. 2 is'a view .in elevation on the line 2-2 of Fig. l and further indicating in dotted lines the functioning of the joints between the end bars and the grid bars;

Fig. 3 is a perspective view of an end bar;

Fig. 4 is a perspective view of one of the intermediate grid bars.

Each of the intermediate grid bars L, 1, 1", 1, 1, and 1 is provided at each end'with a transverse groove 2 and, for purposes of convenience when the device is used for supporting small articles. may be provided on each side with laterally projecting brackets or lugs 3, the lugs on one side of each grid bar being spaced alternately with respect to the lugs on. the other side. All the intermediate grid bars are therefore reversible and interchangeable; that is to say. for example, grid bar 1" may, by reversing it end for end, he made to occupy the position of grid bar 1 and vice versa. In other words, any intermediate grid bar may be used in substitution of any other. This circumstance avoids the necessity of having'in stock more than one pattern of intermediate grid bar for purposes of assembly or renewal.

In the case of the side grid bars 4 and 4:, brackets or lugs are provided on only one side thereof, although it is quite unimportant, so far as the purposes of the invention are concerned, whether they are provided with lugs on both sides or only on one side. These side grid bars 4 and 4s may be provided with transverse grooves like those of the intermediate grid bars and are interchangeable as between themselves, as in the case of the intermediate grid bars.

The end bars 5 and 5 are provided with a series of spaced apertures 6 of suitable dimensions to loosely accommodate the ends of the grid bars. The bottoms of at least some of the apertures, as viewed in cross-section, are of a curvature approximating the curvature of the grooves 2 in the grid bars. It is to be noted also that the vertical height of each aperture is such as to permit enough clearance 7 to allow each end. bar to be tilted .on an axis approximately identical with the centerline of curvature of the grooves 2 and, in doing so, clear the ends of thegrid bars. This construction serves as an interlocking joint, readily detachable but suficiently secure nevertheless to prevent accidental separation of the parts under conditions ordinarily encountered in actual service. It not only permits the tray to accommodate itself to any unevenness of the surface on which it may rest but it also facilitates the assembling and disassembling of the parts, the interchanging of grid bars and likewise end bars, and the substitution of new bars for those that may have become deteriorated from any cause.

The end bars may be provided with suitable eyes 8 whereby the assembly may be conveniently handled manually or by means of cranes.

In using the term annealing tray to describe the device, it is to be understood that the scope of the invention is not tobe contill sidered as being confined to a utensil merely for supporting articles to be annealed. On the contrary, it may be used for supportin articles for any purpose whatsoever, althou it finds its eatest usefulness under "conditions in WhlCh destructive effects of a local character are liable to take place. All the parts may be easily made by casting, forging or other equivalent method, and the material may be such as is suitable for resisting the particular reactions which occur under the conditions in which it is to be employed.

Having thus described theillustrated embodiments of my invention and havin in mind that variations and modifications o the same may be made, I define the scope of the invention by the following claims:

1. An annealing tray comprising a plurality of grid bars and a pair of end bars,

and means for detachably interlocfing the grids of some of the grid bars with the end 2. An annealing tray comprising a plurality of grid bars and a pair of end bars, the end bars being provided with apertures for the reception of the grid bars, and means for detachably interlochng the ends of some of the grid bars with the end bars.

- 3. An annealing tray comprising --a plurality of gridbars and a pair of end bars means for detachabl interlocking the ends of some of the bars for the reception of the grid bars, the bottoms of the apertures bein provided with rojections and the ends 0 the grid bars ing provided with depressions conforming to the said projections,

4. An annealing tray comprising a pluralit of grid bars having laterally ro]ecting ugs and a pair of end bars, and means for detachably interlocking the ends of some of the grid bars with the end bars.

5. An annealing tray comprising a plurality of grid bars and a pair of apertzired end bars, and means for maintaining the ars, said means comprising inward rojections on the apertured portions of t e end bars on which projections the'grid bars rest, the grid bars being provided with depressions to correspond with the said projections.

In testimony whereof, I ave signed this specification.

; HOWABD A. DELANO.

id are with the end bars, 7 said means consisting of apertures in the end grid bars in assembled relation with'the end 

